By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TRIPOLI, Libya – Very little is known about the film, The Innocence of Muslims, or its maker, Sam Bacile. One thing we do know is that the anti-Muhammad film has led to Muslim protests and violence directed at American embassies in Egypt, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen.

The film was supposedly shown at one largely vacant theatre before a thirteen-minute clip found itself posted on YouTube for the world to see. For most Muslims, any depiction of Mohammed is met with scorn, but The Innocence of Muslims’ depiction of Mohammaed as a religious fraud, womanizer, child molester, and ruthless killer has particularly incensed Muslims.  The actors involved in making the video claim to have been “grossly misled” about the purpose of the film. The crew believed they were making an Arabian Desert adventure film titled “Desert Warrior.” They maintain that all of their lines were dubbed over in post-production with the anti-Mohammed content.

Bacile has since gone into hiding following the fury he evoked in the Arab world. No one in the Hollywood film community has ever heard of him or his film, which casts serious aspersions as to whether The Innocence of Muslims is actually a full-length movie or just a thirteen-minute clip. After partaking in a single interview, the Associated Press described Bacile as “a California real estate developer who identifies himself as an Israeli Jew.” Neither the California Association of Realtors nor the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles claim to have ever heard of Sam Bacile. The Israeli consulate claims that he is part of the Egyptian Coptic diaspora, but a cleric with the Coptic Orthodox Church diocese of Los Angeles denies having ever heard of him. Regardless, Bacile is connected to Morris Sadik, an Egyptian Coptic Christian in California who played the clip for his group, the National American Coptic Assembly.

Public reaction against the film in the Middle East began on Tuesday and continue to spark demonstrations at the U.S. embassies in Yemen, Egypt, and Iraq.  In Yemen, hundreds of angered Muslims have congregated at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, burning U.S. Flags and chanting “death to America” as they attempted to storm the building.

“We want to close the American embassy for this insult on prophet Mohammed,” said Abdullah Rahman Safi, echoing the protesters’ sentiments.

Yemeni troops eventually suppressed the uprising by firing tear gas and live ammunition into the air. Both Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and the Yemeni Embassy in Washington have apologized to America for the attacks and have sworn to investigate the attacks on the embassy and keep U.S. foreign diplomats safe.

Similar demonstrations, involving the throwing of rocks, are taking place near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. The initial protests occurred at the embassy, but police have since been able to keep protesters away from the building through the use of tear gas. So far, sixteen protesters and thirteen policemen have been wounded in the clashes. Additionally, twelve dissidents have been arrested. Egypt’s first Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, has pledged to not allow attacks on foreign embassies, but expressed some conflict with suppressing his people’s freedom of expression.

Hundreds of Shi’ites in Iraq also congregated outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad calling for the termination of the embassy in response to the film. They too burned American flags and chanted “No, no, to Israel! No, no to America! Yes, yes for Messenger of God.”

The most violent protest took place at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Tuesday night. There, demonstrating protesters were accompanied by heavily armed militants who shot gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades at the U.S. Consulate for four straight hours. Shortly after the firing began, the gunmen gained access to the building and were able to set it on fire. Many were injured and at least four people were killed, including Christopher Stephens, the U.S. Ambassador to Libya. He initially started working as an English teacher in Morocco, where he said he quickly realized that he “grew to love this part of the world.”

Suzanne Nossel, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, said that, “However offensive this film may be it can in no way excuse such killings and violent attacks.”

While many of the Muslim protesters are upset about the movie, not everyone is convinced that the true motivation of the violence is the response to the film.  U.S. officials are currently investigating the question of whether the killings in Libya were planned to coincide with the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Al-Qaeda’s most active branch is located in Yemen. Prior to Tuesday night’s attacks on the U.S. Embassy, the country’s government announced that al-Qaeda’s “number two man” had been killed in a U.S. airstrike.

For further information, please see:

Huffington Post — U.S. Embassy Attacks: “Death to America” Chants and Flag-Burning Protests Spread to Iran, Iraq — 13 September 2012

USA Today – Protesters Storm U.S. Embassy in Yemen – 13 September 2012

Amnesty International – Libya: No Excuse for Attack on US Consulate – 12 September 2012

Guardian – Mystery Surrounds ‘Sam Bacile’, Maker of Controversial Anti-Muhammad Film – 12 September 2012

CNN – Six Things to Know About Attack That Killed Ambassador Stevens – 12 September 2012

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait — More than 3,000 protestors belonging to the ‘Nahj’ movement gathered in Kuwait’s Irada Square opposite the National Assembly last Monday, demanding that reforms be made to the country’s electoral law.  They also called for the formation of a constitutional monarchy and the election of a prime minister from outside the ruling al-Sabah family.

Protesters have criticized the government, saying they have ignored Article 6 of the Constitution, which states that “[t]he System of Government in Kuwait shall be democratic, under which sovereignty resides in the people, the sources of all powers.  Sovereignty shall be exercised in the manner specified in this Constitution.”

Despite a ban on sleeping in the square and sitting in, protesters came to Irada Square with sleeping bags, as they were prepared to defy both prohibitions and stage a sit in for multiple days.  Many MP’s addressed the protestors over the past two days, encouraging them to not give up on their demands.  MP Musallam Al-Barrack said prior to the rally “we will not obey them and will not keep quiet and let them do whatever they want.”  In a message to the protestors, Islamist MP Walid Al-Tabtabaie took to the podium and said that the al-Sabah family can “be the emirs but the ministers will be from among us.”

MP Ali Al-Deqbasi criticized the government, saying that Kuwait is “suffering from corruption and delays in all aspects.”  Deqbasi also said that the rally was not a ploy for the majority block to protect its seats in Parliament, “but to demand the development of Kuwait and ensure its future.”

Speaking on the subject of the protest, columnist Ahmad Al-Dayeen believes that the current system is not a proper democracy.

“What we want is to reach an integrated democratic regime, because there is no democracy in the world without political parties and exchange of power.  We have an incomplete system, and what we want is an integrated democratic system.  The sheikhdom mentality does not want democracy and fights popular rights…” he said.

A source that wished to remain anonymous told Al Watan Daily that it believed the protests to be unconstitutional on grounds that those attending the rally did not “constitute a free opinion in democracy.”  The source also said that the propositions supported by the dissidents were in violation of Article 4 of the Constitution, which says that “Kuwait is a hereditary Amirate, the succession to which shall be in the descendants of the late Mubarak Al-Sabah.”  During the rally, Tabtabaie said that if the government were to act in accordance with Article 6, the people would still be committed to Article 4.

The Nahj Movement, credited for setting up the protest, is comprised of Islamists, independent opposition, and youth activists who want to transform Kuwait into a Constitutional Monarchy.

For further information, please see:

Al Watan Daily — Constitutionality of Rally Statements in Question — 12 September 2012

Arab Times — Nahaj, Majority Bloc Protest Election Law Appeal — 12 September 2012

Kuwait Times — Opposition Protesters vow to Pursue ‘Full’ Democracy — 12 September 2012

Al Jazeera — Kuwaitis Rally for Democratic Reforms — 11 September 2012

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi and his Chief Officer Ahmad al-Qahtan were sentenced in absentia by the Criminal Court of Iraq last Sunday to death by hanging for the murders of Suhad al-Khafaji, a lawyer, and the National Security Officer, Talib Balasim.  Speaking at a press conference in Turkey on Monday, Hashemi insisted his innocence and denounced the verdict, calling it “politically motivated.”

“While reconfirming my complete innocence and my guards, I totally reject and will never recognize the unfair, unjust and politically motivated verdict, which was expected at the beginning of this ridiculous lawsuit,” he said.  Hashemi fled Iraq in December after the government announced the charges against him.  The court has given him 30 days to return to Iraq to appeal the charges, but Hashemi has said that he will not return.

Since his escape, Hashemi, a Sunni, continues to criticize Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, his longtime rival, accusing him of manipulating the Iraqi judiciary.  In a statement regarding Maliki, Hashemi’s political party, the secular Iraqiya political bloc, said that “[t]he conduct of court hearings only reinforces the feeling that the sentence by the court is politicized and predictable.”

Hashemi’s case has created an issue for the Iraqi government, as it has fueled resentment from Sunnis and Kurds against Maliki, who critics say is monopolizing power.

“The verdict is unjust, politicized, illegitimate and I will not recognize it,” Hashemi said.  “But I put it as a medal of honor on my chest because it was Maliki, not anyone else, behind it.  I’m proud that it is Maliki, and not anyone else, to target me.”  He also said that “[t]he death sentence is a price I have to pay due to my love for my country and my loyalty to my people.  I reiterate that I’m innocent, and am ready to stand before a fair judicial system and not a corrupt one under Maliki’s influence.”

Hashemi’s defense team also accused the court of losing its objectivity and siding with the Shia-led government.  In his closing argument, attorney Muayad Obeid al-Ezzi, head of the defense team, said that “[f]rom the beginning and through all procedures, it has become obvious that the Iraqi judicial system has been under political pressure.”  In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ezzi said “This ruling has no legal value or effect.  In-absentia rulings cannot be considered final or enforced.  It should remain with the court until the person sentenced is handed over to authorities or arrested.”

The Iraqi government has also accused Hashemi of playing a role in 150 bombings, assassinations, and other attacks from 2005 t0 2011 – most of which were carried out by his bodyguards and other employees.

The verdict against Hashemi is also expected to spark tension with neighboring Turkey.

“Political tensions are likely to escalate in Iraq and relations between Ankara and Baghdad could also worsen in the coming months,” said John Drake, a security specialist.  Drake added that Hashemi’s death sentence “will certainly exacerbate divisions between Maliki and Iraqiya.  This could hinder the work of Parliament.”

For further information, please see:

Al Bawaba — Iraqi VP Rejects Death Sentence — 10 September 2012

Al Jazeera  — Iraq Vice-President Rejects Death Sentence — 10 September 2012

BBC News — Iraq VP Tariq al-Hashemi Rejects Guilty Verdict — 10 September 2012

Guardian — Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi Attacks ‘Unjust’ Verdict in Terror Trial — 10 September 2012

National Iraqi News Agency — Death Sentence to al-Hashemi and his Chief Office — 9 September 2012

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain – On Friday, members of Bahrain’s Shi’ite Muslim majority congregated in the capital for an anti-government demonstration but were suppressed by riot police. The protesters, organized by the opposition group al-Wefaq, planned to stage a march on Manama, but armored vehicles blocked the roads. Police also fired tear gas and stun grenades at the demonstrators.

The Bahraini government has dealt with these uprisings through the use of martial law, troops from Saudi Arabia, and police from the United Arab Emirates.  Approximately fifty people have been killed, and hundreds have been arrested since the Shi’ite protest movement began in February 2011.  These demonstrators gathered in Manama despite a ban on unauthorized demonstrations.  Thousands of like-minded protesters participated in a government-approved march just a week prior, which passed without incident.

On Tuesday, the High Criminal Court of Appeal in Bahrain upheld the convictions and sentences of thirteen men who received jail sentences of between five and twenty-five years for their roles in setting up last year’s pro-democracy demonstrations.  Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, said that the “court decision [was] another blow to justice and it shows once more that the Bahraini authorities are not on the path of reform, but seem rather driven by vindictiveness.”

While the general purpose of the protests is to seek political and economic reform for the marginalized Shi’ites from their authoritarian Sunni monarch, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, it is clear that Tuesday’s court decision has been a major motivating factor in recent demonstrations.

At Friday’s protest, groups held banners that read sayings like “Freedom for the prisoners of conscience” and “We want an independent judiciary.”

Such demonstrators have encountered police intervention on a daily basis. If Friday’s march was any indication of the future, the Shi’ites are going to continue their protests and the government’s police are going to continue to put down those uprisings with force.  As long as Bahrain’s Sunni government refuses to make any concessions to its Shi’ite opposition, it is likely that the number of protesters killed and arrested will continue to rise.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera — Police Fire Tear Gas at Bahrain Protesters — 8 September 2012

BBC — Bahrain Protesters Clash With Police in Manama — 7 September 2012

Reuters — Bahrain Police Fire Tear Gas at Banned Anti-Government Protest — 7 September 2012

Amnest International — Bahrain Must Free Prisoners of Conscience After Outrageous Verdict — 4 September 2012

Impunity Watch — Thousands Gather in Bahrain’s First Authorized Protest Since June — 3 September 2012

 

 

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – Ever since the 2009 presidential election that saw Mahmoud Ahmadinejad retain control of the country, Iranian journalists and rights activists have been targeted as criminals for peacefully writing or saying anything that can be construed as anti-government propaganda. On Sunday, Zhila Bani-Yaghoub–also known as Jila Bani-Yaghoub, Jila Baniyaghoob, or Jila Jacob–arrived at the women’s wing of Evin prison to serve at one-year sentence. There, she will join many of her former colleagues, including activists Nasrin Sotoudeh, Bahareh Hedayat, and Mahsa Ambradi.

“Journalists in Iran face numerous restrictions on their legitimate work, including peaceful criticism of the authorities and reporting on human rights,” wrote Ann Harrison, Amnesty International’s Deputy Programme Director for Middle East and North America.  “The Iranian authorities must relax unlawful restrictions on them and release all journalists held solely for their journalism and human rights work.”

Bani-Yaghoub was the editor of the women’s rights website, Focus on Iranian Women. In 2009, she was awarded the Courage in Journalism prize by the International Women’s Media Foundation. Additionally, in 2010, she was awarded the Freedom of Speech Award from Reporters Without Borders.

In addition to serving a one-year prison term, Bani-Yaghoub also faces a thirty-year ban on any journalistic or media activities.  The sanctions against her stem from a 2010 charge of “spreading propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the president.”  The charges followed articles she wrote during the campaign period for Iran’s 2009 election .

At the same time, her husband, Bahman Ahmadi-Amoui, was also arrested. Ahmadi-Amoui was the editor of the business paper, Sarmayeh.  He wrote articles that were critical of the Ahmadinejad government which earned him the charges of “propaganda against the state,” “insulting the president,” “acting against the national security,” and “disrupting public security.”  Ahmadi-Amoui was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison, as well as thirty-four lashes.  On appeal, his sentence was reduced to five years in prison.

Ahmadi-Amoui originally started his jail stay in Evin prison but was “violently transferred” to a solitary confinement cell in Rajai Shahr prison. Human Rights Watch reported, through an anonymous source, that “during the transfer, authorities harassed and insulted Ahmadi-Amoui, and subjected him to a strip search.”  The authorities at Rajai Shahr have consistently denied him visitation rights and phone privileges.

Bani-Yaghoub and Ahmadi-Amoui are not the first Iranian journalists and activists to be imprisoned for peacefully exercising their rights of freedom of expression, nor will they be the last; nor will their charges be the worst.

Arzhang Davoodi, a peaceful political activist who preached freedom and democracy, has been imprisoned in Iran since October 2003.  Despite being jailed for nine years, he was brought back in front of Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran on August 28 for a hearing on a new charge of “enmity against God,” which carries a possible death sentence.

For further information, please see:

Guardian – Iranian Activist Zhila Bani-Yaghoub Packs Her Bags and Heads to Prison – 5 September 2012

Amnesty International – Iran Must Release Prisoner of Conscience Zhila Bani-Yaghoub – 4 September 2012

Iranian – Jila Bani-Yaghoub: Prisoner of the Day – 3 September 2012

Focus on Iranian Women – Jacob in Prison Jila + Photos – 2 September 2012

Amnesty International – Iran Must Immediately Release Prisoner of Conscience Arzhang Davoodi – 24 August 2012

Human Rights Watch – Iran: End Abuse of Imprisoned Journalists – 13 July 2012